MVL: Triad advances over Hosanna

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — In a league where the top three tournament seeds went 6-6 against one another in the regular season, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Friday’s match-up between the No. 2 Triad Timberwolves and No. 3 Hosanna Christian Lions was so back-and-forth.

Exchanging the lead six times, in a game with five ties, Triad had the last run to win 57-51 and advance to Saturday’s championship game against No. 1 Rogue Adventist. The win also guaranteed Triad a spot in the OSAA State Championships field.

Triad had three players in double figures, with Gabe Ovgard and Will Brain scoring 14 points. Jeffrey Briscoe scored 12 points, missing only one shot in a 5-for-6 night.

As a team, the Timberwolves were 55.6-percent from the field, even after making only one three-pointer in seven tries.

Hosanna Christian’s effort was led by 12 points from Kody Murray, helping the Lions outscore Triad in bench points 20-9.

The Lions scored six times from three-point range, Murray with three.

Hosanna Christian trailed 37-31 in the third quarter, but eventually led 51-47 in the fourth. A half-court heave by Mikey Janecke at the third quarter buzzer helped the Lions’ cause.

Paisley defeated North Lake 46-34 to advance to Saturday’s afternoon game to determine the third-and-final seed to state, playing Hosanna. Paisley defeated the Lions 50-45 less than a week ago after losing to Hosanna 55-26 on Jan.21.

Triad handed Rogue Valley Adventist its only loss of the season, winning 51-42 in the league opener on Jan. 5.